Another Lackland Training Instructor Accused in Sex Scandal

The headquarters to the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland where the base's legal offices and courtroom are housed.

Ryan Loyd
/ Texas Public Radio

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Another Air Force instructor under investigation is headed to an Article 32 hearing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland this morning.

Staff Sgt. Eddy Soto of the 323rd Training Squadron is accused of rape and sexual assault in the case of one former trainee and of sexual assault against another. He also is accused of lying to officials and committing adultery, violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The Article 32 hearing is the equivalent of a civilian grand jury hearing, at which testimony and evidence are presented. An investigating officer will hear the case and recommend whether to take the charges to court-martial.

Soto is one of 19 instructors under investigation in the sex scandal, which has grown to include up to 45 alleged victims – all female trainees.

Five instructors have been convicted; the court-martial of a sixth instructor was postponed three weeks ago to allow time for the Dept. of Defense to analyze cell phone evidence.

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An Air Force judge has postponed the sixth court martial in a series of cases against basic military training instructors at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland.

The judge is allowing time for the Department of Defense to analyze cell phones messages between the Instructor and one of his trainees.

Staff Sgt. Craig LeBlanc is accused of crimes from aggravated sexual assault of two female trainees, to lying to military officials about his AWOL status after he was arrested in Comal County while he was partying with a trainee and didn’t make it back to the base.